Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore: It’s Good to be Back!

After about three years of waiting, I’ve finally gotten the chance to return to one my favorite games from the Wii U: Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE thanks to the new enhanced port for the Nintendo Switch. Mind you, there was nothing preventing me from playing it again on the Wii U. In fact, I’d just started my second playthrough when they announced Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE: Encore last year. I just figured that if I was gonna do another playthrough, it would be best to wait until I could check out the new content included with the port. So far it’s looking like that was the right decision!

I wasn’t really sure what I was expecting to find going into Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore. I knew that it wasn’t a full-scale remix like Persona 5 Royal is supposed to be, but all the trailers promised new content story stuff so I had to expect some new stuff, right? Well, it turns out that there is indeed new content here, but it’s done in a way that allows it to coexist with the original game.

There are new weapons to try out, costumes to don and even new music to listen to, it’s just that getting them requires reaching milestones in the main game. I’m wouldn’t say I’m disappointed with this system; getting this stuff at a drip-feed is actually preferable to having everything dumped on me right at the outset. Even so, I suppose I was looking for something a little more dramatic.

All that said, the extra dungeons (meant to help rank-up party members) costumes and weapons I’ve see so far have made the game that much more enjoyable and I’m fully expecting it to get even better since I’ve only seen a small portion of what’s been added thus far. As for the base game, it’s gotten the usual modern port treatment: the visuals have been upscaled to standard high-definition, the textures are more crisp and both the sound and music quality has been enhanced. It’s more or less the same game it always was, but now my favorite tunes sound that much better!

Extra content and new quality of life features (like a mini-map!) aside, it’s just nice to step back into Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE again. It’s not that I’m particularly enamored with the story and characters, but rather that I absolutely love its bright, sunshine-y attitude. The usual “save the world” stakes are here, but they’re being addressed in the goofiest way possible: with dancing and soda commercials rather than grim and gritty combat (like say in The Witcher 3).

I don’t dislike the usual scenarios, dark tones and blood on the battlefield, but I must say that it’s very refreshing to have a story where the characters still have their lives to lead and maintain a positive attitude no matter what; it’s something I’d actually like to see more of. For now though, I suppose Tokyo Mirage Sessions, with its mid-battle duets and super-sentai special moves will have to be enough. If that all sounds fun to you, then I highly recommend checking the game out. I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Have you had a chance to try Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore? How does it compare to other JRPGs you’ve played?